Covid Q&A: Critical workers, vaccinations in kids, school delays, peak in cases

There are many questions swirling after a raft of announcements by the government. We’ve got you covered with clear and concise responses to all your Covid queries.

Q: WHICH CLOSE CONTACTS CAN RETURN TO WORK?

Asymptomatic, fully vaccinated close contacts from critical industries can return to work so long as they haven’t tested positive, they travel to and from work in a private vehicle, wear appropriate PPE, maintain personal hygiene, watch for symptoms and do a day six RAT.

If at any time symptoms develop, the worker has to return to quarantine.

Q: WHO IS CONSIDERED A “CRITICAL WORKER’’?

A ‘critically essential worker’ is someone employed in one of the following industries, who must be in the workplace to do their job:

– health

– emergency services, including police

– the resource sector

– power/utilities

– agriculture and fisheries production

– freight and logistics

– public transport

– teachers

– essential retail such as supermarkets and stores in remote locations/communities

– major manufacturing, distribution, and critical supply chains (for example food and petrol).

Q: HOW CAN MY KIDS GET VACCINATED?

Children aged five to 11 are now able to get their jabs, and bookings are open from today. Queensland Health’s vaccination clinic finder has details on which clinics will accept children, as not all have the right vaccines. Health Minister Yvette D’ath said paediatric vaccines for Queensland children arrived on Sunday and have been delivered to the various vaccination clinics.

Q: WHEN CAN MY KIDS GET THEIR BOOSTER?

Children aged five to 11 haven’t been approved for the booster shot by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) yet.

Q: WHEN IS THE PEAK OF COVID CASES EXPECTED?

The peak of cases in Queensland is expected in the last week of January into the first week of February. This is expected to be about two weeks after Victoria and New South Wales.

Q: WHEN IS SCHOOL DELAYED?

For students up to year 10, school will start on February 7, while those in year 11 and 12 will commence remote learning from Monday, January 31.

There will also be an extra week of school for all cohorts other than year 11 and 12 at the end of the year with the school year wrapping on December 16.

Schools will remain open for vulnerable children and children of essential workers.

Q: HOW MANY CASES ARE IN HOSPITAL CURRENTLY?

There are currently 380 cases in hospitals requiring treatment, however CHO Dr John Gerrad warned health workers that this number is predicted to rise soon as it potentially spreads into the older aged groups.

“The projections are that the number of people accessing healthcare will escalate substantially from some time about a week from now and it will continue to rise until the beginning of February.”

There are also 24,919 patients receiving Covid care at home.

Q: WHY CAN’T HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GO BACK DESPITE BEING VACCINATED?

Premier Annastacia Palaszcuk said it was “sensible and logical” that both high school and primary school need to be delayed at the same time.

“They both need to be delayed because Queensland will be facing its biggest test over the next four weeks. The peak will be during that period of time, parents would not have sent their children to school.”